Game apparatus



A. E. HATCH GAME APPARATUS July 22 -1924.

Filed June 2, 1921 2 SheeLs-Snee't l (lwumxfoz @E TT E'. HaT |311 vJuly 22 ,.1924. 1,502,19

Y A. E. HATCH v GAME APPARATUS Filed June 2, 1921 2 sneelssneen 2 f tailed description.

Patented July 22, 1924?.

raie- GAME APPARATUS. f

Application led .Tuney 2,

To all whom. 'mag/ concern Be it known that I, ALBERT E. HA'roma citizen of the United States', kresiding vat VValronda, in the county of Clay andiState of South Dakota, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in game apparatus for playing base ball.

The primary obj ect of the invention is the provision of an amusing game device, simulating a base ball field, and including mechanical, pitching, batting, and catching means of variable actions, adapted for operation by .two or more persons.

A further object of the improved game apparatus is the provision of a kpla-ying board simulating a base ball field, and including various hazards for testing the skillk of persons playing the game. f

Other objects and advantages will be apf parent during the course of the following de- In the accompanying drawings,'forming a part of this specification, and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views: f

Figure 1 is aplan viewV of the improved game apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the im fr proved game apparatus taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged plan View of the mechanical batting apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the batting apparatus illustrated in Figure 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan `view ofthe improved mechanical pitching apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the improved pitching apparatus illustratedV in Figure 5.

In the drawings, wherein for thepurpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the letter A designates a field, or playing board havingthe base ball field thereon. A mechanical pitch ing device B is providedy for projecting a ball element C, as in the ordinary ball game, towards a mechanical batting apparatus D. A mechanical catching arrangement E is provided for receiving balls C directly from the Y pitching means B.

The game board A, can ofcourse be of Yany approved dimensions, thirty inches by Vtable 10. I v

1921..,seria1 NQ. rif/M74.

thirty-six inches preferably makinga desirableplaying field. The supporting tablet. 10 of the game board A may be ofgany approved jmaterial, and` preferably ysupported by verticalsides 11, having portions 12 projecting upwardly therefrom, and portion 13 vdepending therefrom, to support the table element y10 intermediate the top and bottom edges of the sides 11. rr`Supporting ledgesr 14 are provided in ifixedmanner to the sides 11, and vfor directlyl supporting the table 10, although` this arrangement need not be .strictly adhered to. A support 15, is provided centrallyof the board 10, and extending longitudinally thereof, for afliXing to oppositesides 11 and for purpose of receiving portions of thepitching and batting arrangements B and Dy respectively, to be subsequently described. It is preferred that tl'ietable 10, be V,divided by fine wiresv 16, in such manneras to provide a base ball diamond 17, of relatively small size,'although proportioned according to standard base ball diamond dimensions.- The outfield upon kthe playing boardy 10, is further sub-divided by the wires 16,v intosucceeding Zones 18, 19 and 20. VrIhus, the space within the diamond 17, is conveniently known as' the first base zone;

next succeeding Zone 18 as the second base Zone; the next succeeding zone 19, as the third base Zone; and the last Zone 20, as the wires luponithe table `10, the same are afyhome run zone. In the arrangement of the wardly from the plane as defined by the top surface of thetable 10, thus providing a hazard, normally maintaining the ball element C in itsfclosest zone, depending Aupon speed of therball Cas the samer rolls over the Pockets 21, 22, 23 and 24, are` preferably positioned in Zone 18, adjacent zone 17, said pockets respectively designating first basefman, second baseman, shortstop and third baseman.` Similar pockets 25, 26, 27, and 28, are preferably positioned in the third base Zone 19, the 'same designating respectively the right fielder, right center fielder',A left centerfielder, and left fielder respectively. The pockets 21 `to A28 inclusive, Vare preferably of relativelyv large size, and `formed yof foraminous material such as netting, and staggered in appropriate manner, to render it dimcult for ball C to'travel .into the home run zone 20. The diamond 17, is preferably provided in a conventional manner with a iently positioned in kapertures upon the table 10, outside of the base ball field playing Zones. i

Thelpitching apparatus B, is placed in `conventional manner 'in the center of diamond 17. Guide arms and 36, are provided as part of the pitching apparatusv B, and each include a portionr37, adapted for Vlying fiat'l upon the top of table 10, for detachable assemblage thereto as by screws 38. A flexible and resilient forward portion 39 is provided upon each of the arms 35 and 36, extending in aplane at right angles to the j plane of portion 37. The arms 35 and 36 are positioned in such manner that the resilient portions 39 thereof project toward the home plate 29, and are spaced a sufiicient distance to provide a guide way for the ball C. A

i ball-engaging element 40 is detachably and oscillatably pivoted at 41l to a side of the longitudinal support 15, as clearly shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. In' this arrangement, thel free end 42 ofrthe ball engaging element 40, projects upwardly through a slot 43a in the table 10, and into the guide way provided by the arms 35 and. 36.

A resilient springfelement 43, preferably an elastic band, is affixed at one end to a detachable eyev 44, engaging the longitudinal support 15. The opposite end of the spring element 43, is provided to 'engage about they ball engaging elemei'it 40, to maintain the same in tension to propel 'the ball C. The

spring element 43, is, moreover, slidable upon the element 40,V and can be adjusted j upon said element 40, at 'any convenient posi-v tion intermediate the pivot 41, and the-free end 42, to pro-vide variable tensioning, to propel the ball C at varying speeds, vto be hereinafter mentioned. A pawl disc 45, is

preferably pivoted at 46, within a recess 47Y in the longitudinal support 15; said pawl 45 having a tooth 48 upon a corner thereof adapted for engagement about the ball engaging element 40, to maintain the same in cocked position, and against tension of the,

band or spring element 43. vAn arcuate spring 49, engages the pawl 45, at the ends 50a, to maintain the same in spring actuated position to engage the pitchingfmember 40. A pawl releasing arm 50, is preferably pivoted to the pawl disc 45; and extending laterally to support a handle engaging knob 51,V

projecting from a side 11, as is clearly shownl in Figure 2 of the drawings.

Thus, the mechanical pitching deviceB,

has been prcvided, of considerable scope, in

that/the same simulates to a great extent the pitching activities of abase ball pitcher. VIn

operation, thel ball .C is placed between the Y resilientportions 39 of the arms 35 and 36,

The member 40,

directly over the slot 43a has of course been drawn rearwardly to be held in .cocked position by the tooth 48 of the pawl 45, (and against tension of the band 43. As the person Yplaying thegamel, or having control ofthe team in the field releases the operating or releasing rod 50, by pushing upon the knob 51; the pawl 45, will be rocked in such manner that the tooth 48 disengages the pitching member V40. 2 fThe spring 43 will of course act, and propel the ball'G forwardly 'between thearms 35 and 36, and toward the homeplate 29. `Various speeds can be given to theball Cfoy merely adjusting 'the band 43', as hereinbefore mentioned, upon the element 40.

Referring to the batting mechanism D, the same preferably "includes a body stem 60, rotatably mounted'by a pin 61 upOnanil i outwardly yextendingV shelfY 62.; said shelf 62 being mounted beneath Ythe vlongitudinal support 15. @The stemc60, projects Vfreely through'an aperture v63Y in the table 10, and

upwardly therefrom,'to one sideof'the home-1.,

plate 29, and assumes the conventional position of a batter with' respect to a 'hom'eplateL The upper projecting end 'of't-hefbo'dy 60, is provided with `an `outwardly extending bat structure 64, extending` at right angles to theaxis of the body 60, and horizontally over the table l0, tosimulate a bat in the batters hands. A spring 65, in the present instance, preferably an lelasticn rubber band,

is secured by an eye 66 tov theV stem 60 adjacent the shelf 62 ;v and at its other end secured through an eyey 67; said eye 67k being secured to a side of the longitudinal support 15. In this manner, whenit fis desired,

to use the body 60 as a supportfor; swinging the bat 64, it isy merelyv necessary to rotate the body or stem 60 upon the' shelf 62,v and the spring element 65 will be wound'about the element 60k, and tensioned in this manner for swinging the bat 64. Y

A disc plate or pawl '68, isprovidedin a recess, or cut out Vportion 69of the rafter 15, immediatelyA adjacent the` element 60, said pawl 68 beingp-ivotally andvdetachably mounted at one end 79 within this recess' 69. A tooth 71 is formed in. one corner of the pawl 68, for engagement Vby a tooth 72 rigidly mounted laterally in the Astem 60. A spring 73, is vmounted about the pivot 70, and having its ends 7 4v extending outwardly and engaging certain portions of the disc 68,

to normally force the-tooth71 into Hengageiiifsoajiee vlel'with the brace 15, aflnob or hand engaging yenlargementK \`7 6 thereon In operation, the player representing the n team at the bat, winds up the bodystem 60, until the same has, been secured at the desired tension, by means of the spring band 65. In this connection, it will be observed that the tooth 72 upon the stem 60 will engage the outer bevelled side of the tooth 71, and rides thereover as the stem 60 is being Wound for batting purposes. I-Iowever, when the person representing the team at bat releases the stem 60, the same isy unwound, until the tooth 72 engages the relatively straight side of the tooth 71, and remains in this position, and against the tension of spring band 65. When ready for batting in this tensioned position, the bat element 64, extends directly away from the pitcher arrangement B, and in parallel alignment with the axis of the diamond 17, drawn from home plate 29 to second base 30. As the mechanical pitcher B, hurls the ball C through the air in the above described manner, the person representing the team at the bat, will press inwardly upon the release rod 75,v and which will have the eect of disengaging tooth 72 from tooth 71. The spring 65, will of course exert itself, and the stem 60 will be rapidly rotated, swinging the bat 64: around and over home plate 29, to strike at the approaching ball C. This batter element D, likewise, embodies many features found in actual base ball play, namely the ability. to swing the bat 64 with varying force.

The catcher arrangement E, is of novel formation, the same preferably comprising a short arm 77, and a relatively longer arm 78. Both of the arms 77 and 78, are attached by a portion 79 in rigid manner to the inside of the upwardly extending portion 12 of the side 11, immediately rearwardly of home plate 29. In this position, a resilient vibratory portion 8O of arm 77 projects over the table 10; while a vibratory relatively longer extension 81 projects forwardly of the attaching portion 79 of arm 78, and having its free end 81 arcuated, and in close proximity to home plate 29. This catcher arrangement E is provided, so that as the ball C is projected toward home plate 29; said ball C will hit the vibratory portion 80 of arm 78, and thus glance off therefrom, into engagement with the vibratory portion 8O of arm 77. The ball C will then be forced from one arm 77 to the opposite arm 78, and vice versa, back and forth, until the ball C comes to rest within the pocket 82 provided by the arms 77 and 78. Attention is called to the fact that the outer free end or theta@ et, isf adapted to Contact the vi- Arrbratoryportion 48O of the arm 785when swingingitojstrilie at an approaching ball. This willset thek portion 80. of arm 7 8 into "vibration, andif the playerccntrollingthe ybat 64C misses the ball, fthe" ball will moreV 'readily ybe assured vof'reteiition within the f pocket y82. `Winding of the Vstem 60, canof *course taire lplace regardless of contactjwith the bat64 with theportioi 80, due tolthe;

arcuate surface 81.

The rules applicable to the game can of course be the ordinary base ball regulations. The game is usually played by two persons, one person controlling the pitching arrangement 'Bg the other person controlling the batting arrangement D. A batted ball, rolling into any of the pockets 21 to 28 inelusive, will put that bat-ter out, and will' count one out for the person operating the mechanism D. When three are out, Vthe players change sides, by reversing their control of the pitching and'batting mechanisms. The batted ball rolling within the diamond 17, being in the first Zone, will entitle the person controlling the, mechanism D to a ruimer' 31 on first base. The pins 31, are of course advanced in the pockets 30, as succeeding players hit the ball into any of the above mentioned Zones. In the ordinary manner, the game proceeds in accordance with base ball rules. Should a pitched ball hit the post 60, when the person operating the mechanism D did not release the bat 64 for swinging, said player operating D' is enh titled to advance his players one base. Great interest is attached to the game by reason of the variable speed with which the ball C can be hit as indicated by the adjust@ ment of tensioning the spring element 43. In corresponding manner, the batter can swing the bat 64 at various speeds, to knock the ball C into succeeding zones as desired by tensioning of the spring means 65.

Various changes in the shape, size, and ar-` rangement of parts may be made to the form of theinvention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scopeV of the claims.

I claim:

1. A game apparatus, comprising in combination a playing support simulating a base ball field, a ball, mechanical means for pitching said ball, mechanical batting means, and catching means mounted to the rear of the abutment means and including vibratory gripping arms extending towards the batting means in spaced relation to each other and adapted to be vibrated towards and away from each other through being struck by the batting meansA whereby the ball may be buffeted between said arms when caught.

2. A game apparatus, comprising in combination a playing support simulating a base ball field, a ball, mechanical means for pitch- 10 projected towards the batting means and catching means carried by said support to the rear of the batting means and having spaced ball gripping arms extending towards the batting means with one arm longer than the other and adapted to be struck by the Y batting means and Vibrated to cause buletting of a ball projected towards the batting means and caught between said arms.

ALBERT E. HATCH. 

